
Elise Jesse’s Cincinnati Chili
Total Time
Prep: 20 min. Cook: 1-1/4 hours.
Yield
8 servings
I know chili is widely debated, but one taste of Cincinnati chili has the power to end the debate. It is the best in the world, hands down. This chili is a staple in my home today and was woven into the fabric of my childhood, from family nights to post-football game meals to after-church lunches. —Elise Jesse, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 ounce chocolate
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (15 ounces) tri-color beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (16 ounces) chili beans
- 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, optional
- 1 cup beef bone broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- Measure out the spice blend into a bowl for a seamless cooking experience. Add olive oil to a pot and add your diced onion; cook the onion for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add one can of tomato paste to the onions. Once the onions become translucent, add minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add one pound of ground beef, spice blend and chocolate to the pot and brown the meat. Once the meat is browned and the chocolate melted, add a 28-oz. can of crushed tomatoes, green chilis (optional), tri-blend beans and chili beans. Once mixed, add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and 1 cup of beef broth. Cover the pot and allow the flavors to simmer, marrying together for at least an hour.
- Build your chili bowl. The traditional way is with spaghetti, chili and cheese. I like to start my base with sour cream, add chili, more sour cream, cheese, onion and jalapeno peppers. Customize the way you like and enjoy!
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